it's available on i tunes, we put a link on our web site and it comes with a very handsome set of steak knives as well. no, it doesn't. it doesn't. >> you don't give out guns? >> no, no, that will be fine. that is all for today. we'll be back next week. for now we wan this morning on "first look", the head of the nra fires back at critics explaining why

he wants to talk about gun violence in school with more guns. retailers prepare for the last holiday hurrah as time tux away for shopping procrastinators. plus, a u.s. senator arrested on dui charges. the world's most expensive christmas dinner. and "the hobbit" holds on. very good morning to you, i'm veronica de la cruz. critics are taking aim at its controversial plan to put armed guards in schools. the head of the powerful group is sticking to its guns on the explosive issue. one congress won't be able to do anything about until sometime next month. danielle leigh joins us. >> as the gun debate heats up, we're talking about uncertainty. across the country people are responding. some spending less this holiday season as the fiscal cliff nears, others buying guns as

that debate intensifies. fresh off the demand for armed guards in every school, wayne lapierre remained defiant in his one and only interview with david gregory. >> if it's crazy to call for putting police and armed security in our school to protect our children, call me crazy. >> reporter: the nra leader wanted to discuss munitions. >> i don't believe that will make a difference. >> reporter: throughout the country some americans are responding, some buying weapons. >> i'm here to take advantage of an opportunity to do something about that before it happens. >> reporter: others protesting at gun shops. >> it's just not right. it's just insanity. insanity. >> reporter: on capitol hill lawmakers address how to address this issue as they face another problem, another stalemate in fiscal cliff negotiations. >> our republican colleagues by refusing to go along with revenues are risking the fiscal cliff. >> i think we're going to fall

out of the fiscal tree. >> reporter: confidence at a minimum. lawmakers return from their holiday recess on thursday and when they do, they will have their work cut out for them. i'm danielle leigh. veronica. back to you. >> thank you so much. the pentagon says the commanding officer of s.e.a.l. team 4 has died. joe w. price died saturday of what u.s. military officials are calling a non-combat related injury. they tell nbc news his death death is being investigated as a possible suicide. s.e.a.l. team 4 was part of a mission to train local afghan police to combat the taliban. in the meantime, what's being called a possible insider attack, a civilian american advisor was killed by a woman wearing an afghan uniform. at least 53 international troops have been killed by afghan soldiers or police this year. back here at home now, it is crunch time for holiday

shoppers. many retailers have expanded hours and stepped up promotions to entice those who waited until the very last minute to finish their christmas list. nbc's francis coe has more. >> reporter: as santa finishes up his list and checks it twice before his big trin, most americans are headed out, too, to finish shopping for everyone on their list. >> just getting something for my grand mom, something for my mom. >> mom, dad, brothers, sister. >> sneakers for my nephew. that's t. i'm done. >> reporter: but according to a survey last week, there are millions of shoppers who are not quite done. 132 million to be exact. 26 million hadn't even started. >> i know who i need to buy for but not what i'm buying yet. >> reporter: to help in the holiday rush many stores like target, toys"r"us, and macy's stayed open around the clock this weekend and plan to through christmas eve. >> a lot of people have really challenging work schedules. traditional work schedules

really no more and people like the convenience. >> reporter: although a recent poll showed that 17% were planning to spend less this year, retail analysts say sales this holiday season are on track to top $586 billion. and if we recall black friday did about $11.2 billion in sales but they had very strong results compared to last year. retailers are hoping that the consumers will come back and deliver those same strong results. >> reporter: so with only one day left to get it all wrapped up. shoppers are expecting hectic. >> i think it's more fun to do it at the end. >> reporter: but happy holiday eve. frances coe, nbc news. undoubtedly this will be a tough christmas for many of those still suffering after hurricane sandy, but some of that pain has been relieved by a group called train of hope. they know what a big difference a helping hand can make. nbc's michelle franzen has more.

>> reporter: at the amtrak station in new orleans volunteers from nearby swidell hard hit by katrina are organizing packing up pallets of diapers, shoes, blankets. the second run of donations for hurricane sandy victims. residents and firefighters here paying it forward. >> specifically we were focused on trying to make it better for the kids up there. >> reporter: in addition to basic supplies, this so-called train of hope will be filled with holiday toys all bound for sandy's smallest victims. 30 hours later the train rolls into newark, new jersey's, penn station. 27 pallets in all. half the toys go to the marine's toys for tots program, the rest end up here at engine 155 ladder 78 in staten island. >> looks like our own version of the polar express. >> children of firefighters, kids who lost everything in sandy's wake get to pick out

brand new gifts. >> we lost a lot. he lost all his toys. so it feels good to be on the receiving end. >> especially during the holidays we know that there's a financial strain for the parents and we wanted to make sure that the children of this storm were still able to celebrate. >> reporter: louisiana organizers partnered with kathryn ryan, a firefighter o widow who runs a toy drive after her husband bobby's name. >> through their tragedy they knew what we would need and what would be helpful to us. >> christmas is going to be good this year, right, ryan? >> reporter: the need for smiles. and reminders that giving and receiving not only go hand in hand. >> such an incredible feeling to be on the giving end. you know, we've been on the receiving end before. >> reporter: but can also come full circle. michelle franzen, nbc news, new york. and now for a look at your holiday travel forecast we turn to nbc meteorologist dylan

dreyer. so did you get your christmas shopping done? >> i got most of it done. there's a part of my family i won't see until after christmas so, you know, i did decide to push that off. then i'll hit up all the after-christmas sales. >> so you're excused and you're going to save money? >> right. we just moved so we're surrounded by boxes. it's been a little overwhelming. hey, at least it is christmas time. the music is playing all over the radio and it certainly gets you into the spirit. and, in facts, oklahoma will get into the christmas spirit when you wake up to a bunch of snow on the ground tomorrow morning. there is the chance we could end up with some areas in oklahoma and northern arkansas picking up five to six inches of snow. it hasn't snowed on christmas day in little rock, arkansas, since 1926. so certainly a nice thing for the kids to wake up to tomorrow morning. the storm is actually still out here. we are in the meantime though seeing some rain showers, heavy at times, moving into western north carolina. this will continue to affect the east coast and then eventually move out over the water.

again, that bigger storm system still bringing snow and rain to the west coast. mountain snow has been brutal with about five feet of snow reported in the mountains of california. that is the area of low pressure that is slowly going to trek eastward and then eventually bring snow to the area in oklahoma and arkansas and even winter storm watches posted across southeastern missouri up into southern illinois and into indiana as well. here you see this winter storm warning right through oklahoma city. it is going to get pretty nasty for traveling in that area where we could end up, again, with about six or seven inches of snow this this pink shade here. most areas in the east will be seeing a good amount of sunshine for christmas day, however, tonight into tomorrow morning a weak little disturbance will move through and bring just enough snow that you could see some of the white stuff on the ground in the northeast making for kind of a white christmas, i guess. a little bit goes a long way though when we're talking about the holidays. veronica? >> that's true.

just a little. thanks, dylan. coming up, a syrian airstrike kills dozens in the bread line. what's on the menu for the most expensive christmas dinner? you're watching "first look" on msnbc. [ male announcer ] it's that time of year again.

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hi. i'm stationed at osam airbase. i wanted to wish a merry christmas to my husband and my two boys. a special happy birthday to patrick. i love you guys. mommy misses you. i'm major mark cleney. i'm here and want to say merry christmas to you. >> and happy holidays to you as well. some stories making news this morning. activists in syria see government warplanes attacked a bakery in a rebel-held town killing people including children. it appears to be one of the deadliest aerial attacks in the

nearly two-year-long civil war. michael crapo is sorry after been arrested and driving under the influence near washington, d.c., early sunday. and in honolulu, president obama and the first lady attended a memorial service for senator daniel inouye, the world war ii veteran who died last week at age 88 after serving nearly 50 years in congress. now to new comments from mitt romney's oldest son that have gotten a lot of people talking. it's been seven weeks since the election and there has been a steady stream of behind-the-scenes details coming from both campaigns. now comes the revolution from tag romney that his father had no desire to run for president at least at first. we have more on that from boston. >> i have just called president obama to congratulation him on his victory. >> reporter: as mitt romney, top gop leaders continue assessing how he lost the election to a

vulnerable president, the oldest son is raising eyebrows about his dad's initial reluctance to make another run. tagg romney said he wanted to be press less than anyone else in the world. if he could have found someone else to make the run, he would have stepped aside. >> i do know that there were very serious discussions and concerns at the time before he decided to run and he looked at the field of competition and saw it was pretty weak and his family pushed him to say that he would be the best person given the way the field has taken shape. >> nbc's garrett hak spent nearly a year and a half covering the romney campaign. >> in between campaigns romney was definitely stung by the loss, but he never really took his eye off the ball. he wrote a book about his own personal politics and he used his pac to fund other republican candidates and that's the kind of thing you do if you think you might run again, keep your options open. >> the next president of the

united states. >> reporter: if he was reluctant to run, mr. romney seems to have been under some pressure at home to seriously rally recover. last summer ann urged her husband to enter the race despite his failed bid. >> i was the first one to say this time, you have too do this again. yes, it was going to be painful. yes, it was going to be hard. yes, we might fail, but we had to go forward. >> reporter: a discussion of desire and defeat still lingering. ron mott, nbc news. become hellish for traders. as fiscal cliff talks drag into the 11th hour with $600 billion in tax hikes and spending cuts due to kick in early next year, lawmakers will get back to the table later this week after house speaker john boehner's plan b failed to get enough republican support for a vote last week. still, the market has been resilient.

despite friday's decline, the s&p 500 posted its best week in four. and with just five trading sessions left in 2012, the dow has advanced 8% while the s&p 500 climbed 13. the nasdaq has jumped 16%. reports are due this week on pending home sales. sales of new homes and a look at home prices in the nation's 20 largest cities. are you still not sure what to get for the person who has everything? new retail numbers show footwear was the fifth most popular gift on shoppers' lists on black friday. a year ago, shoes didn't even make it into the top ten gifts for the season. good news for hollywood. attendance by moviegoers is up more than 5.5% so far this year. ticket revenue is projected to jump by 6% by the end of 2012 which would be the industry's biggest yearly increase in a decade. after surprisingly strong sales on thanksgiving, look for some mcdonald's restaurants to be open on christmas for the first time ever to boost

december sales. and a well-known london chef has been offering what is being billed as the world's most expensive christmas dinner for just over $200,000. most of the proceeds go to charity, but still no takers for this fancy feast which includes $60,000 bubbly, $4,000 melon, $10,000 worth of edible gold leaf and coffee beans excreted by a wildcat. on to sports, who hotter than the seattle z hawks. ask the 49ers. seattle's richard sherman picked up the loose ball and returned it 90 yards. the seahawks led 21-0 on the way to a victory. the seahawks also locked up a playoff birth. dallas forced overtime after

trailing new orleans by 14 but drew brees downed marcus colt son and his fumble was recovered. the 21 yard field goal gave new orleans a 34-31 victory. at philadelphia robert griffin iii was back. he found santana moss for a touchdown as washington won its sixth in a row, 27-10. with one week to play the nfc picture has atlanta, san francisco, and green bay all in. the redskins host dallas next week to decide the nfc east. at the moment seattle and minnesota hold the wild cards. home fields are still up for grabs and chicago, dallas, and the new york giants still holding on to some hope. in the afc now, ben roethlisberger was intercepted by cincinnati's reggie nelson who returned the ball to the 46 yard line. with only 14 seconds to play. on the next play andy dalton found a.j. green down the right

side for 21 yards. josh brown's 43 yard field goal locked up a playoff birth for cincinnati with a 13-10 victory. finally, the only thing left to decide in the afc is who will get a first round bye in the playoffs. either houston or denver will next week. baltimore is the fourth seed at the moment. indianapolis and cincinnati will be the wild card teams. rihanna's massive donation and which "real housewives" star and her husband are calling it christ. you're watching "first look" on msnbc. [ male announcer ] there's a better way... v8 v-fusion. vegetable nutrition they need, fruit taste they love. could've had a v8. or...try kids boxes!

hi, i'm lieutenanten if i remember ship pi from kandahar, afghanistan. i want to say happy holidays to my family. i love you and miss you guys. good morning. i'm lieutenant frank grew mel. i'm here in camp leather neck afghanistan. want to say merry christmas and happy new year. can't wait to see you in the new year. happy holidays to you as well. here is the "first look" at other news going on. a holiday travel tragedy to start with in ohio. three adults and a child were killed on sunday. a mini van went the wrong way on the highway and crashed head on into another mini van. two other children are in critical condition. authorities believe alcohol was

involved. residents of one community in north carolina have started a new holiday tradition placing 26 candle lit bags along their street to honor the 26 victims killed in the newtown, connecticut, school shooting. the organizer says she plans to make it an annual event. and it was a happy reunion between a phoenix woman and her best friend, kane, a siberian husky went missing from his backyard nine months ago possibly after being stolen and then somehow ended up in oregon. thanks to a microchip kane's owner was located and he was flown home just in time for christmas. and now for some entertainment news. notch another big win for the little guys. bilbo and his pals beat the competition. the hobbit, an unexpected journey raked in nearly $37 million. that's less than half of last week's haul, but still more than

double tom cruise's "jack reachreac reach reacher" which came in secretary. rihanna donated nearly $2 million to her native barbados in memory of her late grandmother. the gift was her way of giving back to barbados. one year after separating ashton kutcher filed for divorce from demi moore. it could cost the "two and a half men" star a pretty penny. moore was as much from kutcher as she got from her ex, bruce willis. that amount was never disclosed but that's supposed to be pretty considerable. new york housewives turned entrepreneur bethany frankel has separated from her husband. the 42-year-old treated i am heart broken. i am sad. we will work through this as a family. now for another look at the weather, here's nst meteorologist dylan dreyer.

>> nothing was private to begin with. it makes sense to make your announcements on twitter. keep it all out there for the public, right? >> absolutely. >> we are looking at some bitter cold air. look at the dakotas. we're starting off today with temperatures below zero and tonight into christmas morning north dakota could see wind chills at 25 to 35 degrees below zero. that's where the cold air is located. the east coast though is starting off the day in the 30s. and we'll top out around 40 or so in boston and new york city. washington, d.c., about 43 degrees. we are actually going to see a storm system move from the west coast and eventually start to spread into the okechukwu okechukwu and arkansas area. there is the chance we could end up with about five to six inches of snow. the first time little rock, arkansas, will have seen snow on christmas day since 1926. so a big deal, especially when it's happening around christmas time. chicago could get a little bit of a wintery mix as we go through the day today and down across the southeast, that's where most of the showers are. some of those showers have been heavy at times, and that will

continue to move eastward as we go into christmas day. now christmas day in the northeast, it does look like we might start off with a little bit of the white stuff tonight into tomorrow morning. not much. maybe just a dusting, a coating on the ground, then it will change over to a few light rain showers. 37 degrees with a little bit of snow up into boston on christmas day. chicago will also see some of that snow, too, but look at where the cold air is sitting. for tomorrow we're looking at temperatures in minneapolis, 17 degrees. 16 in kansas city. down in florida, that's where the warm air is. temperatures in the 70s and 80s with a couple of showers in florida on christmas day. veronica? >> 16 degrees seems wrong. >> that's awful. >> little rock, arkansas, have a white christmas. nice. i'm veronica de la cruz. happy holidays to you. this is "first look" on msnbc. so,

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